Want to know how to incorporate sea salt into your beauty routine? This homemade sea salt, apple cider vinegar and mint scrub recipe is very easy to make and will give your skin all the detoxifying benefits of a nourishing and therapeutic cleanse.
How sea salt is produced
Sea salt is produced by evaporating sea water. Like table salt, it is mostly just sodium chloride. However, depending on its source and the way it is processed, it usually contains various trace elements such as potassium, iron and zinc. The darker the colour of sea salt, the higher the concentration of trace elements.
However, due to ocean pollution, sea salt can also harbour traces of heavy metals such as lead. Sea salt also contains microplastics – the tiny remnants of plastic waste. The health effects of microplastics in food are still unclear, but some researchers believe that the health risks are low at current levels.
What is the difference between sea salt and common table salt?
Unlike regular table salt, sea salt is often coarse, as it is less ground. If you add it to your food after cooking, it can have a different mouthfeel and give a stronger taste to your dishes. The trace elements and impurities found in sea salt can also affect its taste.
Exfoliating facial scrub with sea salt
You can use sea salt as an exfoliant. Don’t try it with table salt – you need the coarse grains of sea salt to create a deep and nourishing exfoliating experience. In the recipe below, apple cider vinegar acts as an astringent, while the mint can help with inflammation.
What you will need
- 1/8 cup sea salt
- Apple cider vinegar (organic is always a better choice)
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of chopped mint, preferably fresh
How to make it
- Mix salt and mint in a small bowl.
- Pour in enough vinegar to soften the mixture and stir to form a thick paste.
- Gently massage the skin.
- Rinse well with warm water.
- You can store the rest of the mixture in the fridge for up to 3 days.
